Having The Spirit's Firstfruits

We were reminded on yesterday’s offering of a few truths, which resulted from our main text, Romans 8: 23. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

The Spirit’s firstfruits would be our receiving of the Kingdom of God and the firstfruits were what we reaped or harvested first; the first crop. We were also informed that if we had the firstfruits of the Spirit, it meant that we were in the season of bearing and reaping the Spirit’s firstfruits.

Now we listen to more, as given through a word Jesus spoke in one of His parables.

Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. Mark 4: 27

Tracking the Hand of God in the growth of the seed.

Jesus tells a parable about the Kingdom of God, likened to a person who scatters seed on the ground. What is a seed? A seed is a body, a frame, a container, a vessel in which is stored a full grown plant. Look at a huge, full-grown mango tree. The reality and miracle abiding truth is that the entire tree, every branch, every stem, every leaf, every single twig and every fruit it bears; everything, is contained in that one tiny mango seed. The size of the seed is absolutely no indication of the size of the tree.

Who can fathom the wisdom, ways and works of Creator Sovereign God? He is LORD. He and only He can do such a work, which none can replicate. This is a strongpoint of God; this is a delight of His; this is His joy to show the world who He is; He is LORD. In the tiniest of things He hides the fullness of things. Yes, we have seen Him in the seed, which is planted and it grows and becomes the full grown tree. The firstfruits are also in that tiny seed.

The Kingdom of God is like the person who scatters seed on the ground, not unlike the Word of God which God has given to human beings to scatter or preach to all. The seed needs to be on the ground, in the earth for it to live and have its predestined purpose fulfilled, just as with the Word of God. Check it! Creator God has given human hands the privilege of scattering His seed. Then Jesus says, this is when God takes full charge of the growth of the seed in terms of its sprouting and growing. Listen again to what Jesus has told us.

Night and day – The time of the day matters not for God to do His work. Night and day determine our human works for the most part, but not with Father God. Day and night are His to do His work of growing and sprouting.

Whether he sleeps or gets up – The condition of the one who scatters, does not affect or hinder God in any way. Whether the person is sleeping or is awake, the reality is that they are the same in God’s eyes, when it comes to Him working on the seed sprouting and growing.

He does not know how – The one who has scattered the seed, does not know and simply cannot tell how the seed which has been scattered, grows. The ignorance of the one who scatters seed, in terms of what is happening, does not alter God's work in any way.

All by itself the soil produces grain – The one who has scattered the seed has no input whatsoever in the coming forth of - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head - it is all the exclusive work of Creator God.

Is this not also the case of all, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit?

May we not cease to keep before the Holy Spirit, seeking ever His revelations, interpretations and provisions. May we pray that the curse of ignorance and all such fruit of darkness, be removed from each one of us, in the Name of Jesus. Amen!